Learn Idioms to speak better

Learn Idioms to speak better

-Published on 18th Feb 2023 by Oxford School of English-

English idioms are phrases or expressions that have a figurative meaning that is different from the literal meaning of the individual words. They are an integral part of the English language and are commonly used in everyday speech and writing. Some idioms can quote a fact in embellished language like "it's raining cats and dogs," which is used to describe heavy rain. This idiom has its origins in the 17th century when it was believed that heavy rain could cause animals to be swept up from the streets and carried through the air. Idioms can also bring humor in conversation like “he was running around like a headless chicken (meaning that he was doing things in a disorganized fashion, not bringing about any good.) Here are some of the most common idioms :

1. Break a leg Used to wish someone good luck before a performance

2. Bite the bullet means to face a difficult or unpleasant situation with courage and determination. The phrase is thought to have originated from the practice of having soldiers bite on a bullet during surgery to help them endure the pain

3. Cost an arm and a leg means something is very expensive

4. The ball is in your court means it is someone's turn to make a decision or take action.

5. Hold your horses It’s a way to tell someone to slow down

6. The tail wagging the dog Points out a situation where something/someone less important seems to be in control of something important

7. More holes than a Swiss cheese used to point out something/someone having a lot of faults

8. Go bonkers To act crazily

9. An omnishambles A situation that is termed as “omnishambles” is one which has turned out badly

10. Out of whack Something that is “out of whack”, has not been put together properly and is poorly constructed

English idioms can be confusing for non-native speakers, but they are an important part of the language and are used frequently in everyday conversation. Learning and understanding idioms can improve your fluency in English and make you a more confident speaker.